About Exeter Rowing Club

Exeter Rowing Club is based on the Exeter Ship Canal basin, set within the city’s historic quayside with access to both the river Exe and the Exeter Shipping Canal. With over 140 members, we are one of the largest and most successful rowing clubs in the region, with our athletes regularly competing at local, national, and international levels.

Rowing is a team sport, and that ethos sits at the heart of the club. We train together, race together, and win together. Rowers, coxes, and coaches spend a great deal of time within their squads, which is why Exeter Rowing Club is more than just a place to train – it is a friendly, supportive, and social community.

Alongside rowing, we run a variety of social events throughout the year, including pub quiz evenings, skittles, and pool skittles tournaments. These events are a great opportunity for members to get to know others across the club, helping to build the strong sense of camaraderie that has long defined Exeter Rowing Club.

Our membership is broad and diverse, ranging from teenagers to veterans, and from international-standard competitors to those who simply enjoy rowing as a recreational pursuit. Whether racing or rowing for enjoyment, all members are united by a shared passion for the sport and the River Exe.

History

The origins of rowing in Exeter can be traced back to the early 1800s, with Exeter Rowing Club formally established in 1864. The club’s heritage includes earlier organisations such as Exeter Amateur Rowing Club (EARC), St Thomas Amateur Rowing Club, and Port Royal Amateur Rowing Club, all of which played a role in shaping rowing in the city.

In the 1860s, Exeter was a very different place from today – around a quarter of its current size, with open sewers flowing into the river and the railway only recently completed. Despite these conditions, rowing thrived, and the club soon became a significant presence across the West Country.

Over more than fifteen decades, Exeter Rowing Club has experienced many ups and downs. There have been periods of great success and quieter years, times of financial stability and uncertainty, and the significant challenges of surviving through two World Wars. On two occasions, the club lost both its boat shed and headquarters. Each time, the club endured through the determination and commitment of its members.

Today, after more than 150 years, rowing at Exeter is more popular than ever. The club continues to build on its long and proud history while remaining focused on the future, ensuring that rowing on the River Exe remains accessible, competitive, and enjoyable for generations to come.